because it should be so perceived, and because it should obscure minimally
the person who functions behind it, its height should be about 33 inches (825
mm). Ideally the community assembles "around" the table; therefore it should
not have a strong frontality. It may be square with a maximum dimension of
about 50 inches (1250 mm), or if rectangular its maximum dimension may be
about 60 inches (1500 mm) Wood is the appropriate material. See Facility Plate
16, page 37.6-71.
(2) Pulpit. The function of a pulpit is that of a bookstand.
However, because it is the place from which Scripture is read and expounded it
acquires a symbolic weight which implies an artifact of more substance than a
bookstand may seem to need. The bookdesk itself is a surface about 15 by 22
inches (315 mm by 550 sloping at an angle of about 20 degrees, and has a lip
at the lower edge. Because people vary in height the height of this surface
should be adjustable; the lower edge should be at its lowest about 39 inches
975 mm) above its floor and at its highest about 45 inches (1125 mm).
This
can be accomplished either by making the reading desk slide up and down or by
providing platform units of varying thickness on which the user stands.
Because it is important that a preacher's gestures and facial expressions are
clearly visible, it is wise, in larger spaces especially, to have the pulpit
floor a step above the level of the surface on which the altar/table stands.
The pulpit needs to be heavy and large enough to be very stable; but it need
not surround the preachers or lectures, nor be a solid wall in front, obscuring
them. Its height, except for the bookdesk, should not exceed 36 inches (900
mm). Normally no illuminating device should be attached to the pulpit;
however, for certain special occasions, such as tenebrae liturgies that profit
from darkness, miniature reading lights are useful. Micro-phones should not be
visibly attached to liturgical furniture.
The pulpit is located so that the assembly is essentially in the 180
degrees in front of the speaker, but a field of 210 degrees or more is
acceptable if the lateral distances are not great. The pulpit will serve a
variety of faith communities including the Islamic.
(3) Lectern. A light lectern is required. This is not something to
balance against the pulpit visually. In most liturgies it is a purely
functional device to serve nonliturgical purposes or to serve, within the
liturgy, those parts of lesser dignity such as giving announcements or leading
singing. The lectern is preserved among some Anglicans exclusively for the
reading of Scripture, however, and gains symbolic value. The lectern, like the
pulpit, profits from adjustability.
(4) Presider's Chair. As is customary in other assemblies the
presiding officer in worship is usually given a special chair that
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